Cremation vs. Burial: Which Is Right for You?
May 12, 2017

Flatlands, Brooklyn

After a loved one passes, you’ll need to decide between burial and cremation. If the person did not have the chance to make their wishes known in advance, this can be a difficult choice for the surviving family members. Each method carries with it benefits and drawbacks, and it’s important to have perspective when you make the decision.

Burial

Burial is the most common option and might be easier to reach an agreement on if the family tends to be more traditional. Another advantage of burial is a cemetery provides a place to visit—a clearly plotted out piece of land that is reserved for your departed loved one. However, burial is quite costly. Once you add up the price of the casket, the headstone, funeral home fees, and cemetery fees, the average traditional burial ends up costing between $8,000 and $10,000. Cemeteries can also be restrictive. They often have strict rules about monuments, visiting hours, flowers, and camera use.

Cremation

Cremation is far less expensive than burial. It is also a simpler process—no need to deal with caskets, embalming, burial arrangements, or cemeteries. This can greatly reduce the amount of added stress figuring out funeral arrangements can add to the enormous emotional weight of losing a loved one. Additionally, the departed can be laid to rest anywhere, and cremation has a lower environmental impact. However, it may not be an option for those with a strong preference for the rites of traditional burial, and it may not be available at all funeral homes.

Tri State Direct Cremationin Brooklyn, NY, offers low-cost funeral and cremation services to all five New York City boroughs, as well as Long Island, Upstate New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Call (347) 470-1515 for a free consultation, or visit their website for more information about their services.